{"id":2189,"date":"2016-11-15T16:50:49","date_gmt":"2016-11-15T21:50:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=2189"},"modified":"2016-11-15T16:50:49","modified_gmt":"2016-11-15T21:50:49","slug":"sporting-kc-approaching-most-important-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2016\/11\/15\/sporting-kc-approaching-most-important-offseason\/","title":{"rendered":"Sporting KC Approaching Most Important Offseason Yet"},"content":{"rendered":"

In MLS, the ability to rebound from worst to first is not as difficult as other professional leagues in the United States. Also, the ability to go first to worst is pretty easy as well. With potential player turnover on the cards for Sporting KC<\/strong>, this offseason is the most crucial offseason they’ve\u00a0come across in the last few years.<\/p>\n

Sporting KC Approaching Most Important Offseason Yet<\/h1>\n

Why is this the most crucial offseason? Well, after they chose to replace Kristian Nemeth<\/strong> with a few vets during the last offseason, those vets didn’t turn out that well. It looked like Sporting KC “won” free agency while signing Brad Davis<\/strong>, Paulo Nagamura<\/strong>, and Justin Mapp<\/strong>. Davis seemed to be the most fruitful of all the signings, but an injury late in the season provided a segway into retirement. Mapp didn’t play more than 50 minutes for Sporting and Nagamura didn’t show anything decent until the final three games of the season.<\/p>\n

Now, with those three contracts off the books, Sporting HAS to do a better job of filling those holes, especially to help provide squad depth. On top of that you have Diego Rubio<\/strong> out until the summer due to a torn ACL. Cameron Porter<\/strong> is a good third option at best. So they clearly need a backup striker. And of course, on top of that, is\u00a0Benny Feilhaber’s<\/strong> contract situation.<\/p>\n

Get Squad Depth<\/h3>\n

Sporting needs to create some squad depth. When guys like Graham Zusi<\/strong> go down with injury, they need to be able to adequately replace them. Their back line depth is certainly fine. However, Ike Opara<\/strong> might be a coveted option should he not be protected in the upcoming Expansion Draft. However, with $804,070 coming off the books with Nagamura, Davis, and Mapp<\/a>, those top three depth signings need to be perfect.<\/p>\n

They could easily split that figure of $800,000 over four players and get really good ones at $200k a piece. There are a few names to consider in this, both Mike Magee<\/strong> and A.J. DeLaGarza<\/strong> could be free agents next year. With Steven Gerrard<\/strong> leaving, it looks like LA may or may not experience a decent sized turnover. Snagging a couple of those guys off of LA might be a good idea. There is depth available for outside positions within the organization though. Guys like Tyler Pasher<\/strong> and Kris Tyrpak<\/strong> were absolutely fantastic for Swope Park Rangers<\/strong> last season, and they would definitely be worth a look for squad depth roles.<\/p>\n

Striker Depth<\/h3>\n

This might be the most crucial upgrade in depth. Rubio is going to be out until at least June, maybe July. While Dom Dwyer<\/strong> is usually injury-free, that can change in an instant. Cameron Porter is just not a good second option to go with for the first 3-4 months of the season. He’s a fantastic third or fourth option, but not a second option. Sporting will most likely need to go outside of MLS to get this depth. Alan Gordon<\/strong> going somewhere other than Los Angeles again is highly unlikely. Chad Barrett<\/strong> should be available, but physically he can’t go 90 minutes. Sporting would be better served scouring South America or Southern Europe to get a solid second striker.<\/p>\n

Bring Back Benny<\/h3>\n

I think the headline speaks for itself. They MUST bring back Benny if they want to be a playoff team for 2017. As I was getting this article published, it has become clear that Benny Feilhaber will be back for 2017.<\/p>\n

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Feilhaber set to re-sign with #SportingKC<\/a>: https:\/\/t.co\/lMozXXqwvg<\/a> #mls<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) November 15, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n